11152008 BLOG

November 15, 2008

Dorothea’s idea for a cruise in the middle of our trip was a stroke of genius. It was great to be on an American ship with American attitudes and American food.

Also, I was assigned to be monitor for two areas on the ship, the main salon on the first floor and the “Viking Crown Lounge” on the top deck. When not on a shore excursion, it was my duty to alternately sit in both of these areas and chat with the wait staff when no one else was around.

Below is an outline of the cruise to help give locations of photos.

1. Cruise from Venice to Greece (Royal Caribbean’s “Splendour of the Seas”)

a. Day 1 – 11/15/2008 Depart Venice 16:30

i. Upgraded room with balcony on Deck 7 (Top Qtrs deck 8) – great start
ii. Life boat drill with 750 Taiwanese AmWay Reps who won the trip for sales
iii. Sailed down Venice Canal – air was cool but pretty sights of Venice; met Steve and Stephanie from Taiwan; nice couple; also meet British singer Will Bailey and wife who joined him on cruise, never made it to see him in Schooner Bar.
iv. Cocktails in the Viking Crown Lounge
v. Dinner – Late seating w/4 women – 2 from England, 2 from N.Y; wanted early seating, but Taiwan won out.
vi. Entertainment – Juggler – Luis Dalton put on good show

b. Day 2 – 11/16/2008 At Sea

i. Great news! The Cruise goes on (not like Carnival); no problems!
ii. Cool but pleasant weather (H58F,L42F). Calm seas, smooth sailing
iii. Napkin folding and Scrapbooking Classes
iv. Origami class
v. First Line Dancing Class
vi. Welcome Aboard Reception with Captain Tommy; proficient staff
vii. Formal night
viii. Dinning time changed to early – table for 2 in sea of AmWay Reps; nice waiter and assistant

c. Day 3 – 11/17/2008 Arrive Athens at Noon

i. Cool, overcast (H67F,L52F). Calm seas, smooth sailing
ii. Tour to Acropolis with interesting guide, Marietta (like in Georgia)
iii. Back to ship in time for downpour – bus parked 150’ from gangway and bus driver lets us off and we ran 150 ft. in rain!
iv. Early dinner in sea of Amyway Reps – waiter wants to fatten us up, mention indecision of two entrees and he brings both and then something extra for appetizer and dessert
v. Evening entertainment - Los Pampas Gauchos, drum group from Brazil – good show!

d. Day 4 – 11/18/2008 Arrive in Mykonos at 7:00

i. Cool but pleasant (H60/L55). Calm seas, smooth sailing
ii. Took bus into Mykonos and walked around village to windmills.
iii. Had lunch at local Gyro place
iv. No bargains here for jewelry other anything else
v. Showtime – “Dancing thru the Decades” – very good; cruise staff are performers.

e. Day 5 – 11/19/2008 Arrive in Katakolon at noon

i. Cool but pleasant (H63F/L45F). Calm seas, smooth sailing
ii. Walked around small town
iii. No bargains here
iv. Second line dancing class on ship; instructor does salsa in pairs instead of line dancing.
v. Showtime – “Your Three Tenors”; very good; perform separately at various venues and together for other engagements

f. Day 6 – 11/20/2008 Arrive in Corfu at 7:00

i. Cloudy buy pleasant (H62F/L46F)
ii. Took bus to old fort, walked back thru town, long walk
iii. Shacks along waterfront
iv. No bargains here
v. Cocktails in Champagne Bar – Great view; Dorothea is collecting Signature glasses with drinks of course.
vi. Formal night
vii. Head waiter at another station goes postal, stands on grand piano, says he’s going to America in 6 months and quits.
viii. Showtime – “Ballroom Fever”; again very good; cruise staff performers.

g. Day 7 – 11/21/2008 Arrive in Split at 8:00

i. Took tour to Trogir; stop at local “palace” now B &B for wine and snacks of Croatian prosciutto (different from Italian) and music.
ii. Got passports stamped and walked around the town of Split
iii. Cocktails in Champagne Bar
iv. Showtime – Acrobatic group – good
v. Go to Casino and DZ ahead by $100; Ed ahead by $20; yea!

h. Day 8 – 11/22/2008 Arrive in Venice at 7:00

i. Really hated for cruise to be over. It was absolutely fantastic!!!
ii. Spent most of the day in Murono and evening in Venice
iii. Cold, glad to get home

Dorothea and Ed